The Loneliness Epidemic Part 2: Why it is a killer for seniors
Seven common health and psychological problems made worse by loneliness.
Loss – be it losing your spouse, a loved one you were close to, a good friend or even your beloved pet – can plunge seniors into loneliness and can lead to not only emotional and mental darkness, but physical health problems too. In fact, being lonely has been linked to a notable increase in premature death. Below are some of the most common health problems that can be made worse by loneliness:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Weak immune system
- High level of the stress hormone, cortisol
In the case of dementia, people who are suffering from loneliness could have a 40% increased chance of developing the tragic memory loss disease. Social disconnect in seniors is often also a sign of early symptoms of dementia.
Be mindful of the impact of sudden loss to your elderly loved ones and keep an eye on them, even if they seem to be coping well at the beginning, as they could be in a state of denial to start with.
If you notice any of these health issues or behaviour changes either in yourself or in your senior family members, speak to your GP for advice to take steps to get out of the loneliness downward spiral as soon as possible.
